Multiple-bit tool.



PATBNTED BBB. 28, 1905.

' J. H. B. BRYAN.

MULTIPLE BIT TOOL.

APPLICATION-FILED APR. 1, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

Patented February 28, 1905.

l irren.

JOHN H. B. BRYAN, OF BUFFALO, NEV YORK.

MULTIPLE-BIT TOOL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 783,416, dated February 28, 1905.

Appiiciiiipii filed April 1, 1904. seria No. 201,062.

T0 all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, JOHN H. B. BRYAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Multiple-Bit Tools, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a multiple tool or attachment having a plurality of spindles whereby a number of rotary bits or cutters, such as drills and spot-facers, may be operated simultaneously.

The object of this invention is to provide a tool of this character which is simple in construction and which can be readily attached to or detached from the driving-spindle of different machines--such as drill-presses, boring-machines, or lathes-as easily as the ordinary interchangeable tools now in common use.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section, of my multiple tool. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken centrally through the same. Figs. 8, 4, and 5 are horizontal sections in lines 3 3, 4 4, and 5 5, Fig. l, respectively. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section in line 6 6, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section in line 7 7, Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section in line 8 8, Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section in line 9 9, Fig. 6.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The drill-press, boring-machine, lathe, or other machine intended to operate my multiple tool or attachment is provided with a rotary driving-spindle A, which receives the tool and which may be arranged in any desired position, that shown in the drawings being vertical.

The main frame of the multiple tool shown in the drawings consists, preferably, of an upper head or disk B, a lower head or spider B', and three upright distance-rods C, connecting the upper and lower heads and arranged equidistant about the center of the heads. Centrally in the frame is arranged a main driving-shaft composed of an upper section D, which is journaled in a bearing Z in the upper head, and a lower section D', which is journaled in the lower head. At its upper end the upper shaft-section D is provided with a tapering shank E, which is detachably secured in the socket of the main driving-spindle A by a transverse key or cotter a or by any other suitable means. The two sections of the shaft are detachably connected between the heads of the frame by means of a tapering shank F on the lower end of the upper shaft-section fitting in a correspondinglyshaped socket in the adjacent upper end of the lower shaft-section and a cotter or key f passing transversely through the opposite parts of the shaft-sections. For the purpose of holding the frame against axial movement on the main shaft axial or thrust bearings G G are interposed between the shaft and the Lipper and lower heads. Each of these axial bearings is preferably constructed to form a rolling contact and consists of two bearingrims g g, an annular row of balls g', interposed between said rings, and a lretaining-ring g2, provided with a plurality of openings, in which the balls are seated. The upper ball-'bearing G is arranged between the under side of the upper frame-head and ashoulder or collar /i on the upper end of the lower shaft-section, and the lower ball-bearing G is arranged between the upper side of the lower frame-head and a shoulder or collar L on the adjacent part of the lower shaft-section, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. At its lower end the lower shaft-section is provided with a holder or socket t', in which is secured a main bit I or other rotary cutter. This bit is in a fixed position relatively to the main frame of the tool and is turned directly by the main shaft., In addition to the fixed central or main bit I a plurality of auxiliary bits I are provided, which are adjustable relatively to the main bit and driven indirectly by intermediate mechanism from the main shaft. The construction of the tool shown in the drawings contains two such auxiliary bits; but this number may be varied to suit the use for which the'tool is intended.

The means for supporting and driving the auxiliary bits are constructed as follows: J represents auxiliary holders or sockets which receive the auxiliary bits and which are arranged on the lower ends of short vertical LOO- shafts Each of the latter is journaled in a bearing-sleeve K, which is connected with the main frame, so that it is capable of both vertical and horizontal adjustment relatively thereto. Each shaft j is confined against axial movement in its bearing-sleeve by a shoulder .7", formed at the junction of the socket J and the shaft j and bearing against the under side of the sleeve, and a cap f2, secured to the upper end of the shaft 7' and bearing against the upper end of the sleeve K. The adjusting means preferably consists of a horizontal bracket L, having' a longitudinal slot Z in one end, a split socket l in its opposite end, and a clamping-bolt Z2, connecting' the parts on opposite sides of the split. The inner part of tbe bracket is arranged under one of the arms of the lower frame-head and is adjustably secured thereto by a vertical shank M, extending through the slot Z and forming a downward a screw-nut m, applied to the lower end of the shank M and bearing against the under side of the bracket. When but two auxiliary bits are employed, it is only necessary to extend the Shanks M of two of the distance -rods to provide a su pport for the brackets, in which tance-rod C is made shorter and provided with a screw-nut m, which bears against the under side of the respective arm of the lower framehead for rigidly connecting the same, as shown in Fig. 8. The bearing-sleeve K is seated in the socket in the' outer end of the bracket and is secured therein by tighteningI the clampingbolt Z2. By turning the bracket and sliding the same lengthwise on the shank M the auxiliary bit carried by the same can be adjusted horizontally to any desired position Within certain limits relatively to the main or central bit to suit the location of the.hole to be bored or other-work. By adjusting the bearingsleeves K of the auxiliary spindles axially on their supporting-brackets the bits may be caused to bear uniformly and simultaneously against the surfaces to bc bored. This adjustment is necessary when one or more bits are shortened by sharpening and also when the surfaces to be bored are uneven.

N N represent short shafts journaled vertically-in bearings a in the upper head on opposite sides-of the main bearing and each held against axial or vertical movement thereon by ashoulder ai, formed on the lower part thereof and bearing against the Linder side of the head and a driven gear-pinion O, secured to the upper end thereof and bearing against the upper side of the upper head. The upper shafts N are turned by idler gear-pinions P P, each of which meshes with one of the gearpinions O, and amain or master gear-pinion Q, preferably formed integrally with the upper section of the main shaft above the upper The idler-pinions are pivoted frame-head.

on arbors or studs p, secured to the upper head of the frame.

The upper short shafts N are connected with the lower short shafts j' by a flexible transmission device. which permits the auxiliary bits to be freely adjusted both horizontally and vertically without disturbing the drivinggearing. The preferred means of operatively connecting each upper shaft N with its companion lower shaft j consists of a telescopic shafthaving a lower tubular section R, which is connected bya universal coupling or joint al with the lower shaft j', and an upper rod section R', sliding in the tubular section and connected by a universal coupling or joint 0" iwith the upper shaft N. The two sections of the telescopic shaft are connected by a spline or key s to permit the same to move lengthwise upon each other, but compel the same to 4 rotate together. extension of the adjacent distance-rod C, and i which is detachably secured at its lower edge to the upper head by screws t and provided centrally in its top with an opening containing va bushing t', in which the main shaft is-jourvnaled. case the lower shank M/ of the remaining dis- In using my improved multiple-bit toolv the same is first attached to the'driving-spindle of zthe machine intended to receive the same like ,the bits to the work, the frame, together with the auxiliary bits mounted thereon, may be turned freely upon the main shaft for shifting the auxiliary bits into the required position. During the bodilyturning movement of the auxiliary bits, together with the main frame, these parts are supported by the upper ballbearing Gr, whereby this adjustment may be eHected easily and conveniently. Upon now pressing downwardly on the main drivingspindle and rotating the same the bits are caused to bore several openings uniformly and simultaneously in the work. The pressure of the main driving-spindle is` transmitted directly from the latter by the main shaft to the central or main bit; but the auxiliary bits receive this pressure indirectly through the mcdium of the lower ball-bearing G, which exerts a downward thrust against the lower frame-head, and the latter in turn depresses the brackets which carry the bearing-sleeves, in which are pivotally supported the auxiliarybit sockets or holders.

IIO

By the use of the intermediate or idler pinv ions the auxiliary bits are caused to turnin the same direction as the main bit.

While the tool is effecting a multiple boring or similar operation, no means, such as braces or other holding devices, are required for retaining the parts in their proper place, because the rotation of the several parts does not tend to displace the same.

When only a single bit of' comparatively small size is used ina boring-machine as ordinarily constructed, considerable power is wasted, inasmuch as the machine is being operated at less than its full capacity. rlhis loss is avoided by the use of my improved multiple-bit tool or attachment, which enables not only the full power of the machine to be utilized, but also increases the output of a single workman, because this tool canfbe operated as readily for boring a plurality of holes as for a single hole. The object of making the main driving-shaft in sections is to permit the master-gear Q and collars L /L to be formed integrally thereon and still permit the same to be conveniently introduced in its bearings in the frame-heads while assembling the parts of the tool.

I claim as my invention-- l. A multiple-bit tool, comprising a main shaft, a bit-holder arranged at the lower end of said shaft, a frame suspended from said shaft and revoluble thereon, laterally-adjustable brackets mounted on the lower part of said frame, bearing-sleeves arranged parallel with the main shaft and adjustable axially on said brackets, fixed bearings arranged on the upper part of said frame, flexible shafts journaled at their upper ends in said fixed bearings and at their lower ends in said axially-adjustable bearing-sleeves, gearing connecting the upper ends of said exible shafts with the main shaft, and bit-holders arranged on the lower ends of said flexible shafts, substantially as set forth.

2. A multiple-bit tool comprising a main shaft, aI main-bit holder arranged on the lower end of said shaft, a revoluble frame suspended from the main shaft and comprising an upper head having an upper bearing in which the upper part of the main shaft is journaled and a lower head having a lower bearing in which the lower part of the main shaft is journaled, an upper collar or shoulder arranged on the main shaft and facing the under side of the upper frame-head, an upper axial thrust'- bearing arranged between said upper collar and upper frame-head, a lower collar or shoulder arranged on the main shaft and facing the upper side of the lower frame-head, a lower .axial thrust-bearing .arranged between said lower collar and lower frame-head, auxiliarybit holders mounted on the lower head of the frame, and driving-gearing connecting the auxiliary bit, holders and the main shaft, substantially as set forth.

3. A multiple-bit tool comprising a frame having an upper head which contains an upper bearing and'a lower head which contains a lower bearing, a main shaft composed of an upper section vwhich is journaled in said upper bearing, a lower-section which is journaled in said lower bearing and means for detachably connecting said lshaft-sections between said heads, a driving gear-wheel formed integrally on the upper shaft-section above the upper frame-head, 4upper and lower thrust-bearing collars or shoulders formed integrally on the lower shaft-section and facing the under side of the upper head and the upper side of the lower head, respectively, a main-bit holder arranged on the lower end of the main shaft, auxiliary-bit holders mounted on the lower head of the frame, and driving means for said auxiliary-bit holders comprising driven gearwheels mounted on the upper frame-head and meshing with said main gear-wheel, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 29th day of March, 1904:.

JOHN I-I. B. BRYAN.

Witnesses:

JOHN D. SQUIREs, WALTER J. LIBBEY. 

